Club head sets with varying characteristics

• US 8,753,230 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2011
• Issued: 06/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Inventors: Stokke, Ryan M., Jertson, Marty R., Nicolette, Michael R., Solheim, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): STANCZAK, MATTHEW BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US13/096,944
• Publication Number:
  US 20110201444A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,146 Days
• Field of Search: 473349-350, 473290-291, 473/292, D21747-752
• US Class Current: 473/350
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0479 Wedge-type clubs, details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/005 Club sets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0408 characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0454 Strengthening ribs on the rear surface of the impact face plate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0458 with non-uniform thickness of the impact face plate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0487 for putters A63B53/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/54 with means for damping vibrations

Abstract

Embodiments of golf clubs head sets with varying characteristics are disclosed herein. Other examples and related methods are also generally described herein.

Claims

1. A golf club head set comprising:

a first club head comprising;

a first strike face;

a first back face opposite the first strike face;

a first top end;

a first bottom end opposite the first top end;

a first toe end;

a first toe region comprising the first toe end;

a first heel end opposite the first toe end;

a first heel region comprising the first heel end; and

a first vertical axis extended substantially perpendicularly to a horizontal centerline of the first back face, located approximately mid-way between the first toe end and the first heel end, extended through the first top end and the first bottom end, and demarcating the first heel region from the first toe region;

wherein;

the first back face comprises;

a perimeter weight extending along at least the first top end and the first bottom end of the first club head;

a first hourglass support traversed by the first vertical axis and extended entirely from a top portion of the perimeter weight to a bottom portion of the perimeter weight;

a first cavity located only at the first toe region and comprising;

a first cavity base; and

a first cavity wall bounding at least a portion of the first cavity base; and

a first bar within the first cavity and comprising a first bar axis extending throughout a length centerline of the first bar;

the first bar protruded from the first cavity base and extending diagonally, relative to the first vertical axis, across at least a first portion of the first cavity; and

the first bar axis intersected with the first vertical axis and extending therefrom towards the first toe end and the first top end;

the first hourglass support comprises;

top and bottom hourglass portions;

a middle hourglass portion narrower than the top and bottom hourglass portions; and

heel and toe hourglass sidewalls defining the top, middle, and bottom hourglass portions of the first hourglass support therebetween;

the perimeter weight protrudes above the first cavity base and defines one portion of the first cavity wall at the first toe region;

the first hourglass support protrudes above the first cavity base and defines another portion of the first cavity wall at the first toe region; and

a minimum thickness of the first cavity wall protruded above the first cavity base is greater than a maximum thickness of the first bar protruded above the first cavity base.

2. The golf club head set of claim 1, wherein:

the toe hourglass sidewall of the first hourglass support protrudes above the first cavity base; and

the first cavity wall comprises the toe hourglass sidewall of the first hourglass support.

4. The golf club head set of claim 1, wherein:

the first bar upper angle is approximately 25 degrees to approximately 65 degrees.

3. A golf club head set comprising:

a first club head comprising;

a first strike face;

a first back face opposite the first strike face;

a first top end;

a first bottom end opposite the first top end;

a first toe end;

a first toe region comprising the first toe end;

a first heel end opposite the first toe end;

a first heel region comprising the first heel end; and

a first vertical axis extended substantially perpendicularly to a horizontal centerline of the first back face, located approximately mid-way between the first toe end and the first heel end, extended through the first top end and the first bottom end, and demarcating the first heel region from the first toe region;

wherein;

the first back face comprises;

a perimeter weight extending along at least the first top end and the first bottom end of the first club head;

a first hourglass support traversed by the first vertical axis and extended entirely from a top portion of the perimeter weight to a bottom portion of the perimeter weight;

a first cavity located only at the first toe region and comprising;

a first cavity base; and

a first cavity wall bounding the first cavity base;

and

a first bar within the first cavity, protruded from the first cavity base and comprising;

a first bar axis extending along an entire length centerline of the first bar; and

a first bar upper angle between the first vertical axis and the first bar axis;

the first hourglass support is protruded from the first back face and comprises;

top and bottom hourglass portions;

a middle hourglass portion narrower than the top and bottom hourglass portions; and

heel and toe hourglass sidewalls defining the top, middle, and bottom hourglass portions of the first hourglass support therebetween;

the perimeter weight protrudes above the first cavity base and defines one portion of the first cavity wall at the first toe region;

the toe hourglass sidewall of the first hourglass support protrudes above the first cavity base and defines another portion of the first cavity wall at the first toe region; and

a minimum thickness of the first cavity wall protruded above the first cavity base is greater than a maximum thickness of the first bar protruded above the first cavity base.

5. The golf club head set of claim 3, wherein:

the first bar axis is angled at the first bar upper angle, relative to the first vertical axis, such that the first bar axis is substantially aligned with a strike path of the first club head when the first club head is proximate to an impact point with a golf ball along the strike path.

6. The golf club head set of claim 5, wherein:

the first club head is configured for a first target open face impact angle; and

the first bar axis is angled at the first bar upper angle to be substantially aligned with the strike path when the first club head is at the first target open face impact angle while proximate to the impact point.

7. The golf club head set of claim 3, further comprising:

a second club head comprising a second top end, a second vertical axis, and a second bar with a second bar axis;

wherein;

the second bar axis extends diagonally, relative to the second vertical axis, throughout a length centerline of the second bar;

the second bar comprises a second bar upper angle extended between the second vertical axis and the second bar axis;

a second loft angle of the second club head is greater than a first loft angle of the first club head;

at least the second club head comprises at least one of;

a wedge club head type;

or

the second loft angle of at least approximately 42 degrees;

the first bar upper angle and the second bar upper angle are acute; and

the second bar upper angle is greater than the first bar upper angle.

8. The golf club head set of claim 7, further comprising:

a third club head comprising a third top end, a third vertical axis and a third bar with a third bar axis;

wherein;

the third bar axis extends diagonally, relative to the third vertical axis, throughout a length centerline of the third bar;

the third bar comprises a third bar upper angle extended between the third vertical axis and the third bar axis;

the second club head is configured for a second target open face impact angle greater than a first target open face impact angle of the first club head;

the third club head is configured for a third target open face impact angle greater than the second target open face impact angle;

a third loft angle of the third club head is greater than the second loft angle of the second club head;

the third bar upper angle is acute;

the third bar upper angle is greater than the second bar upper angle;

the first, second, and third loft angles range between approximately 18 degrees to approximately 70 degrees;

the first, second, and third bar upper angles range between approximately 25 degrees to approximately 65 degrees; and

the first, second, and third target open face impact angles range between approximately 30 degrees to approximately 50 degrees.

9. The golf club head set of claim 3, wherein:

the first back face further comprises;

a second cavity located at the first heel region and comprising;

a second cavity base; and

a second cavity wall bounding at least a portion of the second cavity base; and

the second cavity wall comprises the heel hourglass sidewall of the first hourglass support.

10. The golf club head set of claim 9, wherein:

the second cavity base is devoid of a bar protruding therefrom.

11. The golf club head set of claim 3, wherein:

the toe hourglass sidewall of the first hourglass support comprises;

a top segment defining at least in part the top hourglass portion of the first hourglass support; and

the top segment is substantially parallel to the first bar axis.

12. The golf club head set of claim 3, wherein:

the toe hourglass sidewall of the first hourglass support comprises;

a bottom segment defining at least in part the bottom hourglass portion of the first hourglass support; and

the bottom segment is substantially perpendicular to the first bar axis.

13. The golf club head set of claim 3, wherein:

the toe hourglass sidewall of the first hourglass support comprises;

a top segment defining at least in part the top hourglass portion of the first hourglass support; and

a bottom segment defining at least in part the bottom hourglass portion of the first hourglass support;

and

an angle between the top and bottom segments is approximately 80 degrees to approximately 100 degrees.

14. The golf club head set of claim 3, wherein:

the toe hourglass sidewall is non-linear throughout the middle hourglass portion of the first hourglass support.

15. The golf club head set of claim 3, wherein:

the first club head comprises;

a first weight receptacle located only at the first toe region; and

a first toe weight located at the first weight receptacle and towards the first bottom end; and

the first toe weight comprises;

a first weight surface facing towards the first heel region; and

a first weight upper angle extended between the first vertical axis and the first weight surface.

16. The golf club head set of claim 15, further comprising:

a second club head comprising;

a second top end;

a second vertical axis;

a second toe weight comprising;

a second weight surface facing towards a second heel region of the second club head; and

a second weight upper angle extended between the second vertical axis and the second weight surface;

wherein;

a second loft angle of the second club head is greater than a first loft angle of the first club head;

at least the second club head comprises at least one of;

a wedge club head type;

or

the second loft angle of at least approximately 42 degrees;

the first weight upper angle and the second weight upper angle are acute; and

the second weight upper angle is greater than the first weight upper angle.

17. The golf club head set of claim 3, wherein:

the top hourglass portion of the first hourglass support is at least one of wider or thicker than the bottom hourglass portion of the first hourglass support to raise a center of gravity of the first club head.

18. The golf club head set of claim 3, wherein:

the first bar of the first club head comprises at least one of;

a rectangular shape, or a triangular shape;

and

the first bar of the first club head comprises at least one of;

a solid pattern, a waffle pattern, a honeycomb pattern,

a dimpled pattern, a growth pattern or a reduction pattern.

19. The golf club head set of claim 3, wherein:

at least one of a first bar thickness or a first bar width of the first bar of the first club head increases towards the first top end of the first club head.

20. The golf club head set of claim 3, wherein:

the first back face of the first club head further comprises;

a second bar protruding from the first cavity base and parallel to the first bar.

21. The golf club head set of claim 20,

wherein:

the first bar comprises at least one of;

a first bar width greater than a second bar width of the second bar;

or

a first bar thickness greater than a second bar thickness of the second bar;

and

the first bar is located closer to the first toe end than the second bar.

22. The golf club head set of claim 3, further comprising:

a second club head;

wherein;

the first club head further comprises a first toe weight located only at the first toe region and towards the first bottom end;

the second club head comprises a second vertical axis and a second bar;

the second bar comprises;

a second bar axis extended diagonally, relative to the second vertical axis, throughout a length centerline of the second bar; and

a second bar upper angle between the second vertical axis and the second bar axis;

the first back face further comprises;

a second cavity located at the first heel region and comprising;

a second cavity base devoid of a bar protruding therefrom; and

a second cavity wall bounding the second cavity base;

the second cavity wall comprises the heel hourglass sidewall of the first hourglass support;

the middle hourglass portion of the first hourglass support is located above a horizontal centerline of the first back face;

the top hourglass portion of the first hourglass support is at least one of wider or thicker than the bottom hourglass portion of the first hourglass support;

the first bar extends diagonally relative to the first vertical axis;

the first bar axis intersects with the first vertical axis and extends therefrom towards the first toe end and the first top end;

the first bar axis is angled at the first bar upper angle such that the first bar axis is substantially aligned with a strike path of the first club head when the first club head is at a target open face impact angle while proximate to a golf ball impact point along the strike path;

a second loft of the second club head is greater than a first loft of the first club head;

the second bar upper angle is greater than the first bar upper angle;

the toe hourglass sidewall of the first hourglass support comprises;

a top segment defining at least in part the top hourglass portion of the first hourglass support;

the top segment of the first hourglass support is substantially parallel to the first bar;

the toe hourglass sidewall of the first hourglass support is non-linear along the middle hourglass portion of the first hourglass support; and

the first toe weight comprises a first weight surface facing towards the first heel region and substantially parallel to the first bar.

23. The golf club head set of claim 3, wherein:

the first back face comprises at least one of;

a first thickness of the first bar, the first thickness increasing towards the first top end of the first club head;

a first width of the first bar, the first width increasing towards the first top end of the first club head;

or

a second bar protruding from the first cavity base parallel to the first bar and closer to the first toe end than the first bar,

the second bar being at least one of;

wider than the first bar;

or

thicker than the first bar.

24. The golf club head set of claim 3, further comprising:

a second club head comprising a second top end, a second vertical axis, and a second bar with a second bar axis;

wherein;

the second bar axis extends diagonally, relative to the second vertical axis, throughout a length centerline of the second bar;

the second bar comprises a second bar upper angle extended between the second vertical axis and the second bar axis;

the first bar comprises the first bar upper angle extended between the first vertical axis and the first bar axis;

a second loft angle of the second club head is greater than a first loft angle of the first club head;

at least the second club head comprises at least one of;

a wedge club head type;

or

the second loft angle of at least approximately 42 degrees;

the first bar upper angle and the second bar upper angle are acute; and

the second bar upper angle is greater than the first bar upper angle.

25. A method for providing a golf club head set, the method comprising:

providing a first club head of one or more club heads comprising diagonal stabilizing bars;

wherein;

a first vertical axis extends through a first top end and a first bottom end of the first club head, and demarcates a first heel region from a first toe region of the first club head;

providing the first club head comprises;

providing a first back face opposite a first strike face of the first club head, the first vertical axis located approximately mid-way between a first toe end and a first heel end of the first club head, and extending substantially perpendicularly to a horizontal centerline of the first back face;

providing the first back face comprises;

providing a perimeter weight extending along at least the first top end and the first bottom end of the first club head;

providing a first hourglass support traversed by the first vertical axis and extended entirely from a top portion of the perimeter weight to a bottom portion of the perimeter weight;

providing a first cavity at the first back face and located only at the first toe region,

the first cavity comprising a first cavity base and a first cavity wall bounding the first cavity base,

the perimeter weight protruding above the first cavity base and defining one portion of the first cavity wall at the first toe region;

and

providing a first bar within the first cavity, protruded from the first cavity base, and comprising;

a first bar axis extending along an entire length centerline of the first bar; and

a first bar upper angle between the first vertical axis and the first bar axis;

the diagonal stabilizing bars of the one or more club heads comprise the first bar;

the first hourglass support protrudes from the first back face and comprises;

top and bottom hourglass portions;

a middle hourglass portion narrower than the top and bottom portions; and

heel and toe hourglass sidewalls defining the top, middle, and bottom hourglass portions of the first hourglass support therebetween;

the toe hourglass sidewall of the first hourglass support protrudes above the first cavity base and defines another portion of the first cavity wall at the first toe region; and

a minimum thickness of the first cavity wall protruded above the first cavity base is greater than a maximum thickness of the first bar protruded above the first cavity base.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

providing a second club head of the one or more club heads;

wherein;

providing the second club head comprises;

providing a second back face and a second top end of the second club head;

providing a second cavity at the second back face and at a second toe region thereof;

providing a second bar within and protruded from the second cavity and aligned diagonally at a second bar upper angle relative to a second vertical axis of the second club head,

the diagonal stabilizing bars of the one or more club heads comprising the second bar;

providing a second loft angle of the second club head to be greater than a first loft angle of the first club head; and

providing the second bar upper angle to be greater than the first bar upper angle;

and

providing the first hourglass support comprises;

providing a top segment of the toe hourglass sidewall to be substantially parallel to the first bar axis; and

providing the toe hourglass sidewall to be non-linear along the middle hourglass portion of the first backside support.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein:

providing the first club head comprises;

providing a first toe weight located at the first back face, at the first toe region, and towards the first bottom end;

providing the second club head comprises;

providing a second toe weight located at the second back face and at the second toe region of the second club head;

providing the first toe weight comprises;

providing a first weight surface of the first toe weight facing towards the first heel region of the first club head at a first weight upper angle relative to the first vertical axis;

and

providing the second toe weight comprises;

providing a second weight surface of the second toe weight facing towards a second heel region of the second club head at a second weight upper angle relative to the second vertical axis; and

providing the second weight upper angle to be greater than the first weight upper angle.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein:

providing the first club head further comprises at least one of;

providing at least one of a first bar thickness or a first bar width of the first bar to increase towards the first top end of the first club head;

or

providing a second bar protruding from the first cavity base and substantially parallel to the first bar, the second bar being located closer to the first toe end than the first bar, and comprising at least one of;

a second bar width greater than the first bar width of the first bar;

or

a second bar thickness greater than the first bar thickness of the first bar.

29. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

providing a second club head comprising a second top end, a second vertical axis, and a second bar with a second bar axis;

wherein;

the second bar axis extends diagonally, relative to the second vertical axis, throughout a length centerline of the second bar;

the second bar comprises a second bar upper angle extended between the second vertical axis and the second bar axis;

the first bar comprises the first bar upper angle extended between the first vertical axis and the first bar axis;

a second loft angle of the second club head is greater than a first loft angle of the first club head;

at least the second club head comprises at least one of;

a wedge club head type;

or

the second loft angle of at least approximately 42 degrees;

the first bar upper angle and the second bar upper angle are acute; and

the second bar upper angle is greater than the first bar upper angle.